Chapter Two

R obert followed Henry to the fields. His friend picked up a scythe, and he did the same, rolling back the sleeves of his tunic. The late-summer sun was warmer than usual, and he was surprised at the early harvest. Henry led him to a section of the field, and for a time, they cut grain side by side in silence.

It was unnerving how silent it was. No one spoke, no one sang. There was only the endless labour. Two riders patrolled on either side of the fields, each armed with a bow and quiver, as well as a sword. They were guarding the serfs, he realised. But why? Did the people not farm the land for a share in their own food and a place to live? There was no reason for guards.

He thought about speaking to Henry in a low voice but decided against it. If no one was speaking, there was a reason. The last thing he wanted was to draw attention to himself. He continued working, wondering where Morwenna and Brian had gone. At the time, he hadn't wanted her to leave, but now it seemed like the wisest course of action.

Morwenna wasn't the sort of woman who would remain quiet and obedient. She would demand answers and woe betide any man who tried to stop her. He hid a smile, thinking of her bold ways.

He wondered what the earl's daughter was like. From his brief glimpse of her, she seemed beautiful and kind, a good choice for a wife. Though, in truth, what did he really know about courting women? Morwenna was right. He did need to win the lady's consent, and he wasn't certain if winning the competitions would be enough.

He'd lived behind castle walls all his life with little interaction with women. Even the serving maids hadn't spoken to him much at all. He'd never really considered his ignorance of women to be a problem until now.

But then again, he was good at solving problems. All he had to do was take it apart into its simplest form. When a metal gear or a pulley was not oiled or cared for, it could break. Whenever he had taken something apart to learn why it was broken, inevitably one of the pieces had not been cared for. A woman ought to be the same, he decided. Like a hinge that needed to be oiled, he simply had to learn how to give her what she needed.

Robert decided he would ask Morwenna about it tonight. At least with her, he could speak freely, and she would answer with honesty.

He continued labouring alongside Henry for another hour, and after the sun grew hot, Robert motioned that he wanted a drink of water. His friend shook his head.

No water? What about food? He moved beside Henry and motioned about that, too. Again, the man silently refused.

Things were indeed worse than he'd imagined. Why would the people endure such an existence? His question was answered a moment later after an older man stumbled when he was reaching for a stalk of grain. The moment he hit the ground, one of the guards fired an arrow directly at him. The shaft embedded in the dirt, but not before the old man scrambled to his feet and lifted the scythe again.

Robert stared at the guard in shock. The old man had done nothing wrong, and he'd nearly been killed for it. These people were no better than slaves, held captive for their labour. He made a promise to himself that once he married the heiress, he would find a way to set them free from this misery. As for Morwenna or Brian, he intended to keep them both far away from this place. It wasn't safe.

After the day's work ended and the sun began to set, the people formed a single line. They were each given one drink of water from a wooden cup and one fist-sized serving of bread. There was no meat, no fish, nothing else to offer.

Why were the people not returning to their homes and enjoying their own meals? Why were they waiting in line for food? He couldn't understand it.

Robert drank the cup of water with his head lowered, not knowing if anyone would recognise him. If they did, they said nothing. He declined the food, intending to hunt later that night after he joined Morwenna and Brian. But first, he wanted to speak with Henry.

He followed the man back to his small roundhouse where his wife awaited him. Henry tore his bread in half and gave a portion to her. Robert wished he'd kept his portion, if for no other reason than to offer them more.

Only when Henry closed the door behind him did he speak in a low voice. ‘You're alive.'

Robert nodded. ‘I went into hiding after the attack.' He didn't miss the glimpse of frustration on Henry's face, but there was nothing he could have done differently. ‘Tell me what has happened here,' he urged. ‘And why no one speaks.'

Henry glanced at his wife. ‘King John sent Alfred of Tilmain to become Lord Penrith. At first, we were grateful. We thought he would help us.' With a shrug, he added, ‘'Twas winter, and when we needed shelter, Lord Penrith divided us among the remaining houses. He sent soldiers to help us rebuild, and we were grateful. In turn, we rebuilt the castle, and all of us laboured to restore it.

‘We thought he'd be a good lord at first. But then, come the spring, the he started making changes to the way we planted our fields. He made us plant earlier, and we lost some of the seed to frost. One of the men—Justin the Cooper—defied Lord Penrith and argued with him in front of everyone. And he paid the price.'

‘What kind of price?' Robert asked, though he suspected the worst.

‘Lord Penrith brought Justin's family before him—his wife and four children. We weren't certain why, but I thought it was to bear witness. We thought Justin would be flogged for what he'd said. They had already bound his hands behind his back, and I saw one of the soldiers holding the whip. Then my lord said, "The actions of one man affect everyone. Rebellion is a poison that must be removed so it does not spread."' Henry grimaced and added, ‘Then Lord Penrith took Justin's eldest son and had him flogged in front of everyone. The boy had done nothing wrong.'

Robert could hardly speak from the anger that flooded through him. ‘And what did the people do after they saw it? What did Justin do?'

Henry made the sign of the cross. ‘The new earl gave a signal, and the boy was released. After that, they slit Justin's throat. It was to remind us who was master of Penrith. We were not to question our lord's methods. Any hint of rebellion—any disobedience—would be punished with death.' His tone remained grim. ‘And those of us with children would watch them suffer as well.'

Robert couldn't bring himself to speak. His skin had grown so cold with horror, for a moment he wondered what he'd done by returning. His people were held prisoner by a lord so vicious, he'd never imagined such retribution.

‘What of your son? Is he—?'

‘I sent him south to my brother, in secret,' Henry answered. ‘I told him not to return. It was better that way. I don't know if he arrived there or not. But better to take the risk than stay here.'

His wife began weeping silent tears. Robert didn't know what to say to her, for even if he did win the lady's hand in marriage, he didn't know if he could overthrow the new Lord Penrith. Especially if the people were too frightened of the man.

‘What did the king say when he learned of this?'

Henry shook his head. ‘The king doesn't care what happens to serfs, my lord. No one does.'

Robert wanted to argue, I care , but the words meant nothing. Until he saved his people from this tyrant and cast him out, they were naught more than words.

‘Lord Penrith is favoured by King John,' Henry said. ‘We've seen him sending gifts to maintain his standing. Sheep, cattle, sometimes costly silks or jewels.'

‘And where did he get these silks and jewels?'

‘Possibly stolen from raids,' Henry admitted. ‘He sends out groups of men every few weeks for supplies. We don't know for certain. But what we do know is that he demands obedience. If we do as he asks without question, and if we never bring our troubles to him, we live in peace.'

‘What do you know of his daughter?'

‘He keeps Lady Gwendoline away from us,' Henry answered. ‘I don't believe she knows what's happening. Or if she does, she can do nothing to stop her father.'

‘I came here to win her hand in marriage,' Robert said. ‘I understand there will be competitions at Midsummer.'

‘Aye, Lord Penrith plans to find a match for his daughter. But you've quite a task ahead of you, my lord. Penrith has invited suitors from all over. He has demanded a high bride price for Lady Gwendoline. I don't know how you'll pay it.'

‘I thought the winner of the competitions would gain her hand.'

Henry slowly shook his head. ‘Her father is using her to gain power in the north. These competitions are only for entertainment. Her true suitor must be a man of wealth and standing.'

The warning wasn't a surprise to Robert. ‘I hope to regain my father's lands and bring everyone here under my protection. But no one can know who I am.'

Henry appeared uncertain. ‘I will tell the others and ask them to say nothing.'

Robert gave a single nod, considering what Henry had said. He needed to speak with Morwenna and Brian to tell them what he'd learned. But more than all else, he needed them to stay away. If Morwenna dared to return, he had no doubt that her outspoken ways could put her in grave danger.

‘Thank you for telling me all this,' Robert said quietly. ‘I still hope to win the lady's hand. After that, I will do everything I can to free you.'

Henry's expression remained weary and full of doubts. ‘I would like to believe that it's possible. But we've lived like this for nearly a year. It's not going to change.' He walked to the door with Robert. ‘You'll have to get past his guards to reach the forest. I bid you good fortune, Robert of Penrith.'

It seemed he would need it.

Later that night, Morwenna had followed her brother to make camp beneath a stone overhang. Although it was a fair distance from Penrith, it provided shelter from the evening rain. Morwenna had cleaned and cooked the rabbits Brian had snared, and she'd saved a portion of the meat for Robert.

But as the hours went on, she sat beside the fire, keeping her knees drawn up. She didn't know if he would find them or even if he would want to return. Her mind conjured up images of him feasting with the new lord while his beautiful daughter gazed at Robert with adoration. The stone of jealousy weighed heavily in her gut, but she reminded herself that he didn't see her as a woman. Even if she told him of her feelings, it would make no difference. He was here to win the heiress, nothing more.

Brian had already gone to sleep, but Morwenna poked at the fire with a stick, unable to rest. The rain continued to spatter against the stone overhang, but at least the shelter kept the fire from going out. She stared at the flames until at long last, she saw Robert approaching.

Heedless of the rain, she ran to him. A hundred things crowded her mind. She wanted to know if he was all right, she wanted to apologise for leaving, and she wanted to know what he'd learned. In the end, all she could blurt out was, ‘You found us.' Then she closed her eyes, cursing herself for behaving like an idiot. ‘I mean, I'm glad you're here. Are you hungry?'

‘Starved.' Robert smiled warmly at her, and his presence made her heart quicken. His hair was wet from the rain, along with his clothing. She made space for him by the fire and tried not to stare at the way his wet tunic clung to his muscles.

‘Sit and warm yourself,' she said. ‘I saved you some rabbit.'

‘I could kiss you right now for that,' he teased. His voice was deep, and it warmed her in spite of the rain.

I wish you would.

But she dismissed the thought, knowing it was too soon for that. Instead, she sat near him and asked, ‘What did you learn at Penrith?'

He sobered while eating, as if trying to decide what to say. Then he admitted, ‘You were right to leave earlier. It's not safe for either of you.'

‘But why?' The castle keep had appeared in good condition after being rebuilt. She'd noticed that the homes of the serfs were also new, with freshly thatched roofs. The fields were golden with grain. Why would he say it wasn't safe? If anything, the lands appeared more prosperous than ever.

‘Because the new Lord Penrith is a man who holds his serfs under an iron rule. They are all but slaves under his dominion. And I don't know how I can free them.' He told her a story about a man named Justin who had tried to protest and had lost his life because of it.

His voice held resignation and doubt, and Morwenna didn't know what answers to offer him. Instead, she murmured, ‘I'm sorry to hear it.'

Robert finished the rabbit and afterwards held his hands out in front of the fire. He turned quiet, and she realised that he was still sitting in wet clothing. She went to the back of the shelter and retrieved a fur from their belongings. ‘Here,' she offered. ‘You may want to dry off and get warm.'

He thanked her and stripped off the soaked tunic. She caught a glimpse of skin and sinewy muscle that made her heartbeat quicken. He pulled the fur across his shoulders, and when he saw her staring, she turned away.

‘What will you do?' she asked.

‘I haven't decided yet. I should probably stay so I can gain more knowledge about the earl's defences and his soldiers. But he cannot know who I am, and I fear others might recognise me. I spoke with Henry the Fletcher, and he will try to silence them. But I don't know what will happen if the earl learns the truth about who I am.'

‘I lived at Penrith for a year, and I only saw you twice from a distance, in all that time,' she said. ‘There's a strong chance they won't recognise you.'

Robert's expression turned grim. ‘It shouldn't be that way. Sometimes I wish my father hadn't allowed me to stay indoors, surrounding myself with books. He should have forced me to train with his men.'

Morwenna agreed with him but didn't voice the words. Instead, she said, ‘It may be an advantage to you now. They won't suspect you've returned.'

‘I don't see how it could be an advantage. Especially after we fled.'

‘I disagree,' she said. ‘Let the people believe you are there to find a way to free them. They won't betray you if they think you are their salvation. They may even find a way to help you during the competitions.'

He picked up a piece of firewood from beneath the overhang and tossed it on the flames. ‘I'm no one's salvation, Morwenna. If anything, I'm a coward who deserves to lose everything. It's the people who didn't deserve this.'

She saw the bitterness in his gaze, the hollow sense of guilt. ‘Then do something about it. Put your doubts aside and help them.'

He stared at the flames for a time, gripping the edges of the fur. ‘I want to, believe me. But I don't know where to start.'

‘Gather information in secret,' she suggested. ‘I can do the same, and so can Brian.'

‘No. I don't want either of you in danger. You'll stay here, and I'll return to you at nightfall.'

Though she knew his command was voiced out of concern, it conjured up her own sense of rebellion. Did he expect her to wait here, day after day, until he returned? That wasn't at all what she wanted.

‘So, you'd rather be a martyr and leave us wondering what's happened to you?' She shook her head. ‘No. I'm not going to wait here. We go together or not at all.'

His gaze darkened, and he took her hand in his. The touch startled her, and he squeezed her palm. ‘While I admire your courage, this isn't wise.'

‘What you're doing isn't wise,' she murmured. ‘You could be captured again if the earl learns who you are.'

‘But he won't. I'll make certain of that.' He reached for his tunic and laid it out beside the fire to dry.

Morwenna watched him again, distracted by the way his skin gleamed in the firelight against the flames. For a man who had been so isolated all his life, she couldn't help but admire the way he'd transformed himself.

She reached out to warm her own hands by the fire. Robert moved closer beside her and dropped the other end of the fur over her shoulders. Her thoughts grew scattered at his nearness.

‘There's something I've been wanting to ask you,' he said. ‘About women.'

It was the last thing she'd expected him to say. ‘Wh-what do you want to know?'

‘I've been thinking about what you said. About winning the heart of Lady Gwendoline.'

She hardly knew what to say. His bare shoulder was touching hers, and she could feel his body warmth beside her.

‘I need to know what a woman truly wants.' He started talking about tools and how to care for them. Something about hinges and oil and God knew what else. She was too distracted by his skin, the masculine scent that made her want to press her lips to his shoulder.

‘Morwenna?' he asked. ‘If I'm to court the Lady Gwendoline, I need to understand what she needs.'

Her face burned hot, but she answered honestly. ‘A woman needs love. She needs to know that a man has feelings for her, that he cares what happens to her.'

Against the firelight, she saw him frown. ‘I don't even know the lady. I can protect her, but I'm not certain I can pretend to love someone I've only just met.'

‘No, but you should get to know her,' Morwenna suggested.

‘How?' He stared at the crackling flames and added, ‘I'm not sure I believe the minstrels who sing love songs about shepherdesses. And I can't exactly tell the lady that I love her when it's not true.'

Morwenna held her silence, for she didn't want to help him at all. Not in this.

‘I could tell her she's beautiful, for that's true enough,' Robert mused. ‘Do you think that would work?'

She shrugged.

Keep your mouth shut , she warned herself.

‘Morwenna?' he prompted.

‘I don't know, Robert. You'll have to find that out for yourself.'

He appeared lost in thought, his brow furrowed. And then, against her better judgment, Morwenna blurted out, ‘What does she enjoy doing for amusement?' At his blank look, she nudged, ‘Perhaps she likes to sew. Or she may enjoy riding.'

He seemed to consider her words. ‘The way you like to fight.'

‘No. I don't enjoy fighting at all.'

At that, he gaped at her. ‘But you trained with us for two years.'

‘Only because I wanted to defend myself. Not because I liked it.'

He appeared utterly confused by her words. ‘But the shield...'

She'd left it behind but chose her answer carefully, not wanting to hurt his feelings. ‘I know you wanted to give me a gift, but Brian could use it more than me. I appreciated the thought. You meant well.'

Robert let out a sigh. ‘I suppose I'll have to give the lady a gift. And a shield won't be appropriate.' He stared into the flames. ‘I don't have silver, so I suppose I'll have to think of something else. Perhaps flowers.'

‘You could,' she agreed. ‘Or perhaps a food she likes. Or an animal to love, like a kitten.' Her face softened at the thought.

‘Was that what you wanted?' he asked quietly. The yearning in her heart rose up so strong, it took effort to push back the feelings. He was asking her for the sake of someone else.

‘It doesn't matter what I wanted,' she answered. ‘I'm not the woman you are courting.' The words were bitter, but she needed to push him away.

‘No, you're right.' Robert reached for her hand, absently caressing her palm with his thumb. ‘I suppose I should study Lady Gwendoline during the next few days. That would give me an advantage over the others.'

He seemed unaware of the effect he had on her. The gesture nearly undid her senses, though she knew it was foolish to imagine more.

‘Robert, don't,' she warned, pulling her hand from his. To him, the caress was only a gesture of friendship. But to her, it crossed a boundary, making her dream of more. She didn't want to be an afterthought, a woman in the shadows while he dreamed of courting someone else.

‘Sorry.' He laid the fur across her shoulders and stood. Then he stared off into the distance, lost in thought. Against the firelight, she saw the gleam of his muscled chest, the strength of his arms. Her attraction was so strong, she wondered what would it be like to lie beside him at night, to feel those arms around her? The longing caught in her heart while he chose a different blanket from his own belongings. She imagined the two of them sheltered together, skin to skin with the furs surrounding both of them. Her heart pounded while she watched him in silence.

Though she wanted to believe that she meant something to him, she was not the woman he needed. She had nothing at all to offer. At least, not yet. But inwardly, she made a silent promise of her own. If he needed information, she could gather it in a different way.

He wanted her to remain hidden and stay out of danger. But he was about to learn that she could easily disguise herself and become who she needed to be.

During the next two days, Robert worked among the men, listening for whatever he could learn. Henry had given him a place to sleep on a pallet, and he'd tried to make himself invisible among the others, so as not to attract notice. On occasion, he saw a nod from one of the serfs, but no one gave his presence away. He wondered if Henry had spoken to them or if they suspected why he'd returned to Penrith. For now, he was grateful for their silence.

Thus far in his quest for information about Lady Gwendoline, he'd learned that she enjoyed the outdoors. Each day, she would walk along the parapets, staring off into the distance and lifting her face to the sun.

Still, it wasn't enough. He needed to get closer to her, to meet her in secret if possible. But she remained heavily guarded inside the castle keep. He planned to speak to Henry about her that night, to see if it was worth an attempt to slip inside the castle walls.

It was already late in the day, and soon enough, it would be time to stop labouring in the fields. But Robert grew distracted by the sound of approaching horses. He turned and saw a cloaked woman accompanied by a single guard. He couldn't quite tell who it was, but the soldiers opened the gates without question.

He sent Henry a questioning look, but the man could only shrug. Robert's instincts went on alert at the sight of them. He joined the line of men for water and bread, using it as the chance to take a closer look.

One of the soldiers helped the woman down, and he led her towards the inner bailey. At that moment, she lowered her hood. Robert froze when he realised who it was.

Somehow, Morwenna had managed to buy a green gown. She had tamed her shoulder-length dark hair into a simple arrangement, and around her throat, she wore a golden chain and pendant.

For a moment, he could only stare at her. He'd never seen Morwenna like this, and it felt as if he'd been struck by a longstaff. He'd grown accustomed to her hiding her body within trews or a tunic. He'd never realised it, but the gown revealed her slender form and generous curves he'd never suspected she had.

A forbidden longing tightened within him, the unexpected heat of desire he was trying to suppress. He wanted to rest his hands around that waist and explore her softness. It was as if she'd tamed her wild beauty to captivate him, tempting him with a glimpse of bare skin at her throat. He imagined pressing his mouth to that skin, wondering how she would react.

Had she always looked like this? Or had he been too blind to see it? As she turned back, there was a deceptive vulnerability about her. She appeared shy and demure, like a woman in need of protecting. But he knew well enough that she could defend herself.

‘Who is the woman?' he asked the soldier distributing the bread. Though he knew the answer well enough, he wanted to know what story she was telling the others.

‘We found her on the road just now,' the man answered. ‘She said that she and her escorts were attacked and robbed.'

Robert nodded in reply and took the bread while he walked towards the gates. He finished the food and then followed a group of men inside. Anyone would believe that Morwenna was a noblewoman, from her appearance. She carried herself with her shoulders back, her chin raised up. Brian had disguised himself as her personal guard. They started to ascend the stairs, but within moments, Lady Gwendoline led her inside the castle keep.

What was Morwenna doing? She'd somehow infiltrated the most dangerous place of all. It was both reckless and brilliant. She would be privy to the information he needed, but what would happen if someone recognised her as the miller's daughter? She could be harmed by the new lord or his guards, and Robert would be powerless to stop them.

Unless he followed her inside the keep.

It was a terrible risk, but one he had to take. For a moment, he questioned whether to reveal himself as a suitor. But no, it was too early for that. Better to wait until the other men arrived. Instead, he planned to slip inside the castle to try to learn more about the lady.

Robert studied the movement of the people within the castle and saw several servants carrying platters of food towards the keep. If he kept his head down, there was a chance he could go unnoticed. He waited until a small group of serfs approached the keep, and he lifted his hood to hide his face. When he reached the entrance near the guards, he lowered his head and followed the men inside.

The men began to disperse, and Robert continued towards the kitchens. It was the best way to get inside the keep, for he could carry food to the lord's table. He needed to know what Morwenna was doing, but more than that, he wanted to ensure that he could protect her. She had no idea of the danger she could face. And though her brother was with her, if they caught her in the lies... God help them both.

Robert had nearly reached the entrance of the kitchens when suddenly a hand clamped down on his shoulder and someone stripped the hood away. He spun with his fists raised...only to see the cook.

When the man caught sight of him, he stared at Robert. Years ago, Wilfred had slipped him occasional honey cakes, and Robert had given the cook a few silver coins in return. There was no doubt he'd been recognised.

Robert gave the cook a slight nod of acknowledgement before he picked up one of the food platters. Then he turned and held Wilfred's gaze for a long time, silently questioning whether the man would give away his presence. Instead, the cook turned away.

Robert followed the men into the keep towards the Great Hall. He carried a platter of roasted capon, and the scent made his mouth water. Like the other servants, he brought the food to the new Lord Penrith, who was seated upon the dais. Lady Gwendoline had offered Morwenna a seat beside her, while a servant had taken her cloak. Robert approached the earl and offered a portion of the capon. The man sliced off a wing and then served his daughter Gwendoline without sparing Robert a single glance.

But when Robert reached Morwenna, her eating knife clattered upon the table, her eyes widening. Then she covered her reaction by saying to Lady Gwendoline, ‘Forgive me. I fear that my weariness has caught up with me.'

‘I understand,' the lady soothed. ‘I will find a place for you to sleep, and you may stay with us until your father arrives.'

Morwenna gave the woman a nod, and Robert had no choice but to continue serving the other high-ranking members of the lord's retinue. It seemed that her lie had worked. But before he departed, he met her gaze once more. He needed to speak with her, but it was too dangerous here. He glanced over at the door, hoping she would meet with him outside the keep tonight.

She gave no indication that she understood his message, but instead turned back to Lady Gwendoline and conversed with her.

Robert followed the other men back to the kitchens, sneaking a bite of the remaining capon as he did. He'd underestimated Morwenna. Though she'd been born a serf, he was startled to see how easily she fit in. Her talent for imitating the nobility made it clear that she could easily take a lady's place here. He'd never known she was so observant. He'd been accustomed to the fierce warrior she'd become, not the guise of the gentle lady. Now he was wondering how well he knew her at all.

Where had she found the dress and the pendant? Her transformation unsettled him, for the new image was now branded in his mind. The green silk bliaud had clung to her slender form, the voluminous sleeves blending in with the long skirts. The colour had only accentuated her dark hair, and he'd never truly imagined she could be so desirable.

When he returned to the kitchens, Wilfred dismissed the others but ordered Robert to stay behind, claiming that he would have to help with cleaning. He obeyed, dipping one of the knives in water and scouring it with sand until the men and maids were gone.

Only after they were alone did Wilfred address him. ‘I cannot believe you're alive, my lord.'

‘Do not call me that here,' Robert warned. ‘I've asked the others not to acknowledge me. It's better to pretend I'm a stranger, for if Lord Penrith learns who I am...'

‘He'll have you killed,' Wilfred finished. ‘Aye, it's not safe.'

And the more people who recognised him, the greater the risk. ‘I intend to court his daughter and gain her hand in marriage without the earl knowing who I am.'

The cook's expression turned grim. ‘And when the king finds out what you've done?'

He didn't understand what Wilfred was inferring. ‘I've done nothing wrong.'

‘Your father was executed for treason. He refused to pay the higher taxes King John demanded and was accused of conspiring against him. If you try to claim Penrith, both the king and the earl might try to implicate you in your father's misdeeds,' Wilfred warned.

Robert sobered. Though he had never been close to his father, he hadn't understood why the king's men had attacked that night. His uncle had never told him the reasons, probably to protect him. It bothered him even more to realise that the king's men had taken him and Piers, intending to use them as leverage.

‘After you escaped captivity, they searched everywhere for you,' the cook continued. ‘I heard the soldiers that night. It's by God's grace that you escaped, my lord.'

Though he'd known they were in danger, he'd never really understood how grave it was. ‘What of my father's wife?' Robert asked. ‘Does she live?'

Wilfred shook his head. ‘She was killed the night we were attacked.'

A pang caught Robert, for although Clarine was not his mother, his father's wife had always been kind to him. She'd never had any children of her own, but she had treated him as if he were her own.

Robert added, ‘I want to watch over Morwenna and Brian. They are staying in the castle tonight.' Although they had made the decision to come here, he felt responsible for them.

The cook opened a small storage pantry with herbs and braided onions hanging from the rafter. There were several sacks of grain stacked against one wall. Wilfred added, ‘You can sleep here, my lord. It's not much, but no one will find you.'

‘Thank you. It will only be for a little while until after I've joined the other suitors. I won't forget your kindness.' He was grateful to have an ally in the castle, someone who could help him find out more about Lady Gwendoline.

And he needed to be nearby to ensure that Morwenna was safe.

It was late at night when Morwenna left her bed. Lady Gwendoline had offered her a place to sleep in her own chamber, and she had readily agreed, for she'd never seen anything so fine. The sheets were soft, and the brazier of burning peat kept it warm within the room. Not like the hayloft she'd slept in so many nights during her childhood. She longed to stay and sleep, but she also knew that Robert wanted to see her. The look of shock on his face when he'd served her at table had warmed her with pride, for he'd not known she could blend in so seamlessly.

She had mimicked Lady Gwendoline's manners, and they had believed her tale of being attacked on the main road and robbed. Lord Penrith had promised to send word to her father—but of course, no one would be able to find him, for he was dead.

Brian had dined with the other soldiers, keeping to himself. His height disguised his age of fifteen years, but she wondered if the other soldiers suspected anything. Her brother had a way of blending in while others conversed around him. It seemed that she had done the same, for no one recognised her. Her mood dimmed at the realisation that she truly had made no friends among the villagers. She was more alone than she'd thought.

She needed to speak with Robert, but she had to wear the old clothing she'd brought with her. It would be easier to avoid questions if she disguised herself as a boy. Morwenna tucked her hair beneath a cap and tiptoed outside the chamber and down the stairs. She continued around the sleeping men and women in the Great Hall until she managed to slip outside. She didn't know where to find Robert, but she intended to start near the kitchen since he'd brought food to the table. It was dangerous, but Morwenna had to take the risk.

As she walked through the darkness, the chill in the air seemed to sink into her bones. She had shared a table with the earl and Lady Gwendoline, and outwardly, they had seemed like good people. Robert's earlier claim, that the serfs were being treated like slaves, seemed like an exaggeration. But the silence of the people made her question what was real and what was not.

When she reached the kitchens, she paused at the doorway, studying her surroundings. The men guarding the keep would only see a boy in search of food, if they cared to look. She moved inside the doorway and nearly screamed when a hand clamped over her mouth.

‘Don't speak,' Robert murmured. ‘Come with me.'

She nearly sagged with relief but obeyed. He led her into a smaller storage pantry and closed the door behind him. It was so dark she couldn't quite see him.

‘I'm glad you're all right, Morwenna,' he said, keeping his hands upon her shoulders. ‘But I cannot believe you took the risk of entering the keep tonight. You could have been killed. Or worse.'

She was taken aback by his words and his overbearing tone. ‘You really don't have faith in me, do you?'

In answer, he pulled her into a hard embrace, and her cap fell off. He rested his face against her hair, and she fought the rise of her own emotions. In one move, he'd disarmed her completely.

For a moment, she savoured the unexpected affection, even as she warned herself, It means nothing. Do not let yourself believe it's more.

He pulled away at last and brought her to sit on a large sack of grain. ‘Tell me what you've learned.'

She knew this wasn't about gossip, but instead answered, ‘The earl keeps twenty soldiers in the keep and another two dozen around the inner bailey. Six more are on horseback guarding the fields. They have a few archers among them, but most are swordsmen.'

‘Why so many?'

She shook her head. ‘I don't think all of them are his own men. I think at least half may be the king's soldiers, but I don't know why they're here.'

He sat back, thinking in silence. She knew he was trying to make decisions, but she didn't know what he would do now.

‘What of his daughter?' he asked. ‘What have you learned about her?'

‘Lady Gwendoline knows very little about what is happening among the people. She is uneasy about the Midsummer competitions and her father's plans to arrange her betrothal.'

He seemed to think it over. ‘Has she said anything about it? Will her father truly allow her to make the choice?'

She gave a shrug. ‘Neither of us knows. She has said that there are very few men who meet her father's standards.'

Robert leaned back against the sack of grain, and as they spoke in the darkness, she felt a sense of intimacy between them. ‘What do you think of her?'

She answered honestly. ‘I like her. She's kind, and it seems as if Gwen tries to see the best in everyone.'

He seemed to think it over. ‘She's his only heir, isn't she?'

‘She is.' Morwenna closed her eyes, for the thought of him courting Lady Gwendoline was a blade in her heart. She knew this was why he'd come back to Penrith. And she'd known that she had no chance of winning Robert's affections.

Life was unfair in so many ways. If she had been born to nobility instead of to a miller, she could have been wed to a man like Robert. She wanted to curse her low birth, for it had destined her to a life of poverty. In the darkness, she reached for the gold pendant, wishing she'd known the name of her mother's family. Her mother had never spoken of them, and whenever Morwenna had asked questions, Eldreth had ignored them. Even her father had told her nothing when he'd given her the gown and pendant. So many secrets...and now she would never have her answers.

‘I need to meet Lady Gwendoline,' Robert said at last. ‘Can you arrange it?'

His question caught her off-guard, and she answered, ‘Possibly. But what if she learns who you really are?'

‘It's a risk,' Robert agreed. ‘But Lord Penrith doesn't know I am here.'

She tightened the iron grip around her feelings. ‘You cannot hide who you are for ever. If they find out the truth...'

‘They won't. I've asked the others not to reveal my identity. I might even use another name during the competitions.'

‘I don't like it,' she confessed. ‘It's dangerous.'

But more than that, she was afraid he would succeed in winning Gwendoline's hand in marriage. Against her will, the emotions rose up within her, her heart aching in her chest.

You knew this was why he came to Penrith .

But he did not share her feelings. It would only embarrass both of them if she revealed the truth.

‘Are you certain this is what you want?' she managed to ask. ‘To marry her?'

‘What I want is to restore Penrith and help my people. I intend to become the earl I was supposed to be. And if wedding the lady is the means to that end, so be it.'

Morwenna didn't know how to respond to that. Though it was tearing her feelings apart, she forced herself to close them off. ‘All right.'

‘I need your help, Morwenna,' Robert admitted. ‘I haven't been around women often, except you. I don't know how to court Lady Gwendoline.'

A hard lump caught in her throat, though she'd known he would need her help. ‘Just be kind to her.'

‘Ah, Morwenna,' he sighed. ‘Would that it were so easy.' He reached out and took her hand. ‘I don't know what to say or how to behave.'

The touch of his hand on hers only heightened her misery. She both welcomed his touch and wanted to tear her hand away. It weighed upon her, and she wished she could simply blurt out the truth. But then, he might pity her for feelings he didn't return. Instead, she squeezed his hand, enjoying the slight attention even if it meant nothing to him.

He paused a moment and asked, ‘Where did you get that gown and the pendant?'

‘They were hidden back at the mill,' she answered. ‘They're all I have left of my mother.'

His thumb traced a circle over her palm. ‘Were they hers?'

She understood his unspoken question about Eldreth's past and nodded. ‘I suppose she was a woman of wealth who fell in love with the wrong man.' The words held a heavier cast to them, for she felt the sting of them. She knew exactly why her mother might have left everything behind—Morwenna would have done the same for Robert—and Eldreth had likely surrendered everything for her marriage. Her family, her riches...all of it.

Yet, somehow Morwenna suspected there was more to the story. Her father had always appeared so ordinary. Geoffrey had never appeared to be the sort of man who would inspire a deep and abiding love. And while her mother had kept the house, cooked the meals, and had taken care of her and her brother, her parents' marriage had not seemed as strong as it could be.

‘Do you remember her?' Robert asked.

Morwenna nodded. ‘I was twelve when she died. It was after a winter illness. She hardly ever spoke to us, and we weren't close. Sometimes I wonder if she missed her family. It often seemed like she didn't care very much.'

‘I'm surprised your father brought you to Penrith. Most folk don't leave their villages or their families.'

She wasn't at all surprised. Her father had never stayed in one place for long. ‘He wasn't always a miller. I remember him trying many different things. He laboured in the fields one summer. The next year, he tried learning how to brew ale. One year, he even sold ribbons at a fair.' She leaned back against the sack of grain. ‘He always seemed rather lost. And after my mother died, perhaps it was true.'

‘Did your father die on the night of the attack?' Robert asked.

‘Yes. And I don't want to speak of it.' She never wanted to remember the sound of him dying, and she let go of Robert's hand. ‘It's late. I should go back.'

He stood beside her and offered, ‘I'll speak with Brian tomorrow and find out what he's learned from the men. Find out if there's a way for me to meet with the lady and let me know. I am staying in the kitchens.'

‘I'll try.' She paused at the doorway, wishing she could say the words buried inside. But what good would it do? He had never seen her as a woman he could love. Better to put those useless thoughts aside.

And as she turned away, she cursed herself for her cowardice.